The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nick Saban: No. 1 ranking ‘even more meaning less’
As team rises to top, coach says ‘ itmeans nothing at all.’
It’s easier than ever for Alabama coach Nick Saban to dismiss a midseason No. 1 ranking.
The Crimson Tide ( 6- 0) vaulted to the top after an open datewhen No. 2 Notre Dame knocked off Clemson, which was playing without quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Even though Alabama’s remaining regularseason schedule doesn’t seem particularly daunting, it’s still the season of COVID19 with top teams like No. 3 Ohio State just getting started.
And teams never know when a key player — like Lawrence — or coach will test positive or have to be quarantined for close contact with someone who has tested positive. Staffs don’t even knowwhen games will have to be canceled or postponed.
Saban said being No. 1 in November is “even more meaningless this year than ever before.”
“It means nothing at all right now,” Saban saidMonday. “And I think especially in this year, because it’s very, very difficult even at this point in the season, to know who is really established as the most dangerous teams in the country on a consistent basis.
“Wehave conferences that have played one game, conferences that have played three games, conferences thathave playedmoregames thanwe’ve played. So I think
it’s very, very difficult to be able to determine that.”
Alabama visits LSU ( 2- 3), the struggling defending national champs, on Saturday. The four remaining opponents are a combined 11- 12, and onlyNo. 24Auburn ( 4- 2) has a winning record.
LSU is dealing with a COVID outbreak and won’t be at full- strength — if the game is even played. Coach Ed Orgeron said the situation has made it difficult to knowwhowon’t be available for the game or whether it might need to be postponed, likeAuburn- Mississippi State was on Monday.
LSU snapped an eightgame losing streak to Alabama last season, winning 46- 41. Now, the Tigers will be
looking to play the spoiler if they take the field. And the Tide will be looking to stay on task, No. 1 ranking or not.
Saban, as always, remains on guard against complacency or overconfidence. This is familiar territory for Alabama; the ascent to No. 1 Sunday marked the record 13th consecutive year that the Tide has spent at least one week atop the poll.
“I’ve always said this ... complacency creates a blatant disregard for doing what’s right,” Saban said. “So you know, that’s something that our players are going to have to showmaturity and understanding that it’s not where you are right now. It’s where you finish that counts.”